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 A0HN A. BLAIR. Only about twenty-five families had made settlement in this county when Mr. Blair crossed its borders with the intention of making it his future home. The face of the country then presented a vastly different appearance from that of to-day, wild animals being plentiful, and the primitive dwellings of the pioneers, few and far between. It needed men of more than ordinary courage, facing such an outlook, to finally resolve upon permanent settlement, but Mr. Blair was equal to the emergency, and establishing himself as a resident, has since maintained his position.Commencing with modest means and dependent upon his own resources, Mr. Blair. by a course of great industry and prudence, advanced step by step until he has now become one of the most prominent residents of the county, and is one of its most extensive live-stock dealers. His operations along the Cherokee Strip have probably not been exceeded by those of any man in the vicinity. He is a Westerner by birth, his native place being Plainfield, Hendricks County, Ind., where he first opened his eyes to the light September 20, 1851. His immediate progenitors were Enos and Margaret (Morgan) Blair. The father was a native of North Carolina, whence he emigrated with his parents to Hendricks County, Ind., in boyhood, residing there until a young man of twenty years. Enos Blair, in 1871, came to Kansas and settled in Caldwell, when it was little more than a hamlet. He made his continuous residence there until 1887, then removed to Alamosa, Colo., where he now resides. During his sojourn in the Hoosier State he carried on farming successfully, dealt in live-stock, and was also interested in pork-packing at Indianapolis for several years. He became wealthy, but subsequently met with financial reverses which nearly ruined him. After coming to he also became interested in newspaper work, for a number of years was editor and publisher of the Caldwell Post. He had been reared in the Quaker faith, to which he adhered until business cares absorbed his mind to the exclusion mostly of religious matters. He was identified with the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and votes the Republican ticket. He is now retired from active business. Mrs. Margaret (Morgan) Blair was born in Knoxville, Tenn., and coming to Kansas with her family, died in Caldwell, in 1871. The household circle was completed by the birth of five children, viz.: Julia, Will P., John A., Hattie and Francis M. The two daughters are deceased. John A. spent the early years of his life in his native township, attending first the common school, and later entered Earlham College, at Richmond, Ind., he also studied in a private school at Indianapolis. After coming to Kansas he occupied himself as a clerk until 1871. and during that year he was appointed Postmaster of Caldwell, holding the position until 1881. In the meantime he also engaged in the mercantile business. During the year last mentioned he disposed of his store and stock and turned his attention to live stock, becoming a member of the Cherokee Strip Live Stock Association, of which he has been Secretary since the time of its organization. He is a Knight of Pythias, Uniformed Rank, and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. He cast his first Presidential vote for Grant, and has since maintained his adherence to the Republican party. When approaching the twenty-third year of his age Mr. Blair was married, March 17, 1874, to Miss Katie Wendell. Mrs. Blair was born in Adams County, Ill., June 5, 1859, and is a daughter of the late John H., Sr., and Anna Catherine (Kouse) Wendell, both of whom are deceased. There have been born of this marriage two daughters—Mabel and Marguerite. Mr. Blair has always signalized himself as a liberal and public-spirited citizen, and the uniform encourager of the enterprises calculated to build up the interests of his adopted town. He is amply worthy of representation in a work designed to perpetuate the names of and the leading men of Sumner County. |
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